THETFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – Police in the Upper Valley have arrested a man who they say is responsible for stealing gas from a truck in Post Mills by drilling a hole in the tank.
The arrest comes as victims in nearly a dozen towns have reported similar crimes.
Police in Thetford say there are striking similarities between the theft that occurred in this town and others across the region. Right now, they are trying to connect the dots.
Gas-soaked pavement near the Interstate 91 corridor is evidence of a string of recent thefts. Last month, police say a Swanton man was caught in the act– in broad daylight– at the Peabody Library in Post Mills.
“A citizen observed him at their vehicle collecting gas,” Thetford Police Chief Michael Scruggs said.
The investigation led police to a nearby store where the alleged gas thief was caught on surveillance video.
A week later, the suspect, Steven Gaboury, 57, who is known to stay with friends in the area, was spotted on the side of the road by a cop from a neighboring town.
“He came across a vehicle matching the same description with a male pouring gasoline from a five-gallon container into a five-gallon gasoline container,” the chief said.
Gas thefts by drilling into the tank and collecting what pours out have plagued multiple towns on the eastern side of the state.
“There are three other incidents in Thetford and there are multiple other incidents across the state,” Scruggs said.
There have been reported gas thefts in Danville, Groton, Wells River, Topsham, Bradford, Theftord, Norwich, Strafford and Tunbridge.
Route 5 Auto in Bradford had several vehicles hit back in September.
“I am glad they caught somebody,” said Gene Pierson of Route 5 Auto. “They are probably watching people that are not home all day or for a few days, and figure they can just steal their gas, I guess. I mean it is still a pretty dangerous thing to be doing.”
In each instance, trucks with a high enough clearance to get a bucket underneath have been the target.
Gaboury has only been charged with the one incident in Post Mills. Police are still investigating whether the others are connected.
“We’ve spoken with the other agencies and there are conversations about trying to establish further identification of who is responsible,” Scruggs said.
Not only are the crimes causing thousands of dollars in damage to vehicles, but police say the bigger concern is public safety.
“There could be additional hazards for fire and also transporting gas in an unsafe manner in these five-gallon containers,” the chief explained.
Gaboury is due in court to answer to the criminal mischief charge Dec. 3.
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